About the film

Lil’ Red is Riding the Wrong Way in the Hood is a hip hop and gender twist on a classic cautionary tale, and when an adventurous 12 year old Black boy gets lost in an urban jungle her runs into a wolf in sheep’s clothing and a battle of wits begins.

Child labor and grooming may sound like heavy topics, but this timely animated short makes approaching difficult and must have conversations about personal and public safety a lot easier. It’s an entertaining and educational film about trust as we all seek to find our way to stay on the right path, in an increasingly complex and unpredictable world.

This is a family friendly film about trust, but it touches on other themes including:

Economic Empowerment, Father Figures, Peer Pressure, Self-Esteem, Betrayal, Personal and Public Safety, Alliances, Mentorship, and Grooming Tactics that lead to Trafficking.

How can you support Lil’ Red?

Share a written or video testimonial and help others join the conversation. Not everyone knows what going the wrong way can lead to. If you’re a compassionate educator or creative social change agent who has already liked us on instagram and Youtube, and even spread the word, we Thank You.

Many viewers in previous screenings want to see more episodes or a safety series. This can be done with proof of your ongoing support. Consider becoming a patron of art that is activism. Your contribution supports affiliated production costs and our ongoing promotion. Visit venusjones.com/store and consider the perks of membership at patreon.com/venuslovejones.

Join the WAIT LIST below, and we’ll keep you posted about upcoming screenings online or at a film festival near you.

Official Trailer

Credits

Credits

Writer | Director | Producer | Narrator

Venus Jones is saved by grace and a servant leader living on principle, as a multi-gifted talent with over 20 years of classroom and stage experience. She’s cultivating courageous conversations through her films, poetic keynotes, and counsel for compassionate leaders who are braving a new world. She’s a creative director for anyone ready to increase trust, empathy, and self-awareness through the arts. Visit venusjones.com for more information on how to support past, present, and future initiatives at the intersection of art and activism.

Animator | Illustrator

Mutai Emmanuel lives in Nairobi, Kenya and began his career in animation in 2016. Whether it’s sparking emotions through animation, elevating characters with seamless rigging, or reflecting a brand’s essence through design, his versatility and his passion for project management gives him a creative edge. He has experience as a Toon Boom Rigging Artist with major studios, and a history of collaboration with talented artists and business owners all over the world, who are interested in creating impactful and engaging projects. Learn more about the animator at mutzzcreative.com.

Additional Credited Animators include: Stanley Munyiri and Ian Ngaruiya Mburu

Music Producer

Malcolm Lee is a producer, engineer, DJ, MC, social activist and teaching artist in San Jose, California. He’s been a board operator and sound engineer for 90.5 KSJS, YG Studios and Silicon Valley Debug, where he worked as an audio journalist for documentaries and news shorts. malcolm-lee.tumblr.com/bio

Additional Credited Sound Engineering provided by Tim Abbott.

Who’s on the front line?

The Love Never Fails organization was formed in December 2011 after the Founder’s teenage student experienced human trafficking in the San Francisco Bay Area. LNF’s Board of Directors and Advisory Board include thriving survivors and their families, business owners, teachers, social workers, Pastors, local government executives, attorneys, health care workers, and more. All board and advisory members are engaged voluntarily. Learn more at www.loveneverfailsus.com.

The Equality Now organization has assisted survivors of trafficking in Africa, India, the UK, and the U.S. They know that the law has historically been used to marginalize, disenfranchise, and oppress those living in poverty. Women and girls have been especially impacted by discriminatory laws that treat them as second-class citizens. But they envision a world where the law is used to promote equality rather than codify misogyny, where constitutions respect human rights rather than embed discrimination, and where the criminal justice system arbitrates with integrity rather than perpetuates harmful gender and racial stereotypes. Click here to read more about their efforts to end sexual abuse and online exploitation globally.

Resources

If you’ve been affected by human trafficking or know someone who has, help is available.

  • National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-Child
  • National Human Trafficking Hotline (Polaris): 1-888-3737-888 or text 233733
  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
  • National Runaway Switchboard: 1-800-RUN-AWAY

For more, including many in the San Francisco Bay Area, see Love Never Fails’ Resources page at www.loveneverfailsus.com/resources

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